Seven people have died while five others have been admitted to the hospital after taking alcohol suspected to have been poisoned in Manase Township, Blantyre.
On Saturday, the Blantyre District Health Office indicated that five people had died, with others admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
Sunday, Blantyre Director of Health and Social Services Gift Kawalazira indicated in a statement that the figure had risen by two.
“Currently, five people are still admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Two are in the Intensive Care Unit and the rest are in stable condition. The victims who were rushed to the hospital presented with shortness of breath, stomach pains, diarrhoea, blurred vision, vomiting, body pains and severe dehydration,” Kawalazira indicates.
The statement further says medical examinations conducted on one of the bodies and preliminary findings are suggestive of acute poisoning as the cause of death.
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“[The] full report to follow after laboratory testing.
“Meanwhile, health workers and the police are on the ground doing further investigations into the matter. The Health Office is advising the general public not to panic but to report to the nearest health facility if they experience the signs and symptoms mentioned above. The public is being advised further to refrain from consuming unknown and uncertified alcohol brands,” Kawalazira says.
Initial reports indicated that the deceased started feeling pain in the stomach while at home, from where they were rushed to the hospital.
Some people have been addicted to spirits, popularly known as ‘Ambuye Nditengeni’ and ‘Magagada’, which are considered affordable.
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Meanwhile, the Malawi Bureau of Standards has said it deals with the formal sector.
“[As such], this could be under the jurisdiction of the local councils,” it said in a statement sent to The Daily Times.
On his part, South West Division Police spokesperson Joseph Sauka said they are investigating the issue.
“We suspect that the beer had poison but a true picture will emerge after we are done with investigations,” Sauka said.
He was, however, quick to say that they have started confiscating beer they suspect to be harming the population.
“The beer in question includes Ambuye Tengeni, Magalagada and Mtaya Njinga. We are also arresting those who are selling beer without licences,” he said.
